Choose no-cost/low-cost (NoLo) options and open-access texts

UMass Lowell is committed to student success and ­­keeping college education affordable. Faculty can make an impact in this way by choosing no-cost or low-cost (NoLo) options and open-access texts, and by ordering textbooks with enough lead time that students can receive the best pricing when purchasing their books and selling them during the book buyback period.

UMass Lowell has adopted a new system that will make the process of ordering and buying books more streamlined for faculty and students.

The new tool is called Follett Discover ™ Adopt. Find details and job aids on the Follett page.

Other Options for NoLo Textbooks

The UML Libraries have created a helpful LibGuide offering instructors creative options to assist faculty in finding and choosing many great resources available for their classes - most at no or low cost (NoLo) to students.

In addition, faculty can place copies of texts and other materials on reserve in the library, preferably two copies, and let students know that these materials are available.

In order to comply with the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, faculty must order textbooks and other required materials in a timely fashion. The following undergraduate/graduate deadlines apply to the regular session and online courses.

For Fall 2019 - Order by May 1, 2019

For Spring 2020 - Order by October 15, 2019

We strive to provide an inclusive environment and access for all students, please keep this in mind when selecting textbooks, digital content, videos, ebooks, and documents. Timely submission of textbook adoptions enables the University to meet its legal requirement to provide students with disabilities an equal educational opportunity to be successful. Web Accessibility and 508 Compliance information is available from Web Services.

The University of Massachusetts Lowell Libraries endeavor to comply with U.S. copyright law and avoid copyright infringement while asserting our rights and the rights of our patrons to fair use of copyrighted materials as provided in U.S. Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. §107 and §108. The Copyright LibGuide contains information to explain the Copyright Act and fair use.

Photo by K. Webster

The high cost of textbooks has become a flashpoint in the debate over the rising cost of a college education, not only at UMass Lowell, but nationally. In part, that’s because students and their families often don’t realize how much the books will cost until the students arrive on campus, says Julie Nash, vice provost for student success.

UMass Lowell is confronting the problem directly, thanks to a dedicated committee of faculty, staff and students and the cooperation of Follett, the company that runs the campus bookstore, the River Hawk Shop.